Brazos County elections official warns federal recertification and state law changes could increase costs and require contingency planning

Brazos County Elections Administrator Trudy Hancock told the commissioners court on July 1 that a March federal executive order and planned action by the Elections Assistance Commission could change federal voting-system standards and potentially require recertification of equipment counties use.

The issue matters because Texas law bars the use of voting systems that are not EAC-certified; Hancock said the EAC has 180 days to review and, if appropriate, rescind or reissue certifications under the executive order. She also told the court that a state law change, S.B. 2753, will change Texas’ early-voting schedule and create new county costs and logistical requirements.

Hancock, a past president of the Texas Elections Officials Association and a member of the Secretary of State’s advisory committee, summarized the federal step first, saying: “An executive order is directed to federal offices such as Homeland Security, Social Security Administration, the US Secretary of State and the Elections Assistance Commission or the EAC. Executive orders are not directed to state or local governments.” She read from the order, noting the EAC’s 180-day review and that the order prohibits ballots in which “the vote is contained within that barcode or QR code except for ADA compliance.” Hancock added that the county’s Verity/ Hart…